Egress

[CCCCDDDD]

What is requirement for secondary egress
Right now have a platform 16’ high above grade
Has two small vessels on top and
Is 12’x24’ with access around vessels all 4 sides.

 

[Lomarandil]

What type of platform, with what kind of occupancy? Are we talking an industrial application, or in a school?

Where is this located? Is there a relevant local/national requirement?

If the project has an architect (or fire safety engineer) involved, egress is typically in their court.

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just call me Lo.

 

[Ron]

Secondary egress depends on all the things Lo mentioned. Until you give us more info, we can't be of any help.

 

[CCCCDDDD]

It is in a Chemical plant in New Mexico
No more than 2 or 3 people at anytime.

 

[r13]

You can find answer from OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910, linked here Link

 

[phamENG]

Sounds like an "unoccupied" maintenance platform. Off the cuff I'd say no secondary required, though there may be something unique regarding the use of the space. I haven't designed anything in a chemical plant before.

 

[AskTooMuch]

Ask the client during model review if they prefer one regardless what OSHA or PIP states (it should be in OSHA or client specs). Even if the platform is small, direct access to 1st egress at certain location on the platform maybe blocked by horizontal pipe needing 2nd egress. Or just because client prefers to have one.
The way you described it in OP without asking anyone, I'd put secondary ladder egress. I work inside a plant as one of maintenance engineers, we sometimes go beyond osha when it comes to safety.

 

[r13]

All platforms above 4' require handrails and unblocked access stair. If blocked by piping/equipment, you will need to provide access stairs on each side. If blocked on 3 sides, you need to enlarge the platform to allow walk through, and perform maintenance tasks. If the owner insists to skip OSHA requirements, give up the job, as the owner likely to involve you later on unsafe designs somewhere else. The safety is for preserve human life, not for OSHA, nor the owner.

 

[r13]

There are cases that providing egress is not possible, such as roof level equipment access platform located hundred feet above ground, then a safety work procedure need to be developed, and workers be educated and trained.

 

[AskTooMuch]

Just to clarify when I say "regardless what OSHA states". I meant regardless if OSHA states it's not needed, client can still request one.
A good example is guardrail.. at 3 feet high you can still break your foot so client may still request to have one at that height.

If OSHA requires to have it then client will follow.